Our guide to the new MLS season

Everything you need to know about the 2008 MLS season, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night when the New England Revolution hosts the Houston Dynamo in a rematch of the last two MLS Cup finals.

ADAM SMARTSCHAN

New England Revolution sophomore Amaechi Igwe has an awful lot to play for this season.

The left-footed defender, now 19, was drafted 12th overall last year out of Major League Soccer’s Generation adidas program. He came to the Revs (14-8-8 in 2007) with all kinds of stud credentials – youth national team experience, a strong college season at Santa Clara, an Olympian father.

Still, he spent the year playing for New England’s reserve team and the U.S. U-20 World Cup squad.

This season – which opens tonight when the Revs host the Houston Dynamo in a rematch of the last two MLS Cup finals – Igwe might get a chance to turn all his potential into production.

“Last year, I feel like they were trying to bring me into it,” Igwe said in a telephone interview Thursday. “It’s tough for young defenders to come in and gain the trust of their coaches. This year, I came in and (defenders) Avery John and Marshall Leonard are gone, a couple left-footers. I knew it would be a big opportunity for me to get minutes.”

After training Thursday, the Belmont, Calif., native wasn’t sure what his role would be tonight, but guessed he’d likely be coming off the bench.

If Igwe gets in, it will be his first full professional appearance. If he was nervous, he didn’t sound it.

“Playing with the youth national team and stuff when I was 16, 17, we were scrimmaging MLS teams and playing in big-time tournaments,” he said. “Big crowds and stuff. Obviously, it’s a big difference from the reserves, but I feel like I’ve been in enough big-time games.”

With an eye toward the seven months of “big-time” MLS games that begins today, here’s everything a fan needs to know about the 2008 season:

Three Revs home games you should catch: 1. May 3 vs. the Chicago Fire (7:30 p.m., TV38) – New England has ousted its archrival from the Eastern Conference playoffs three years in a row; 2. July 13 vs. Club Santos Laguna (8 p.m.) – The Revs’ first-ever SuperLiga tournament game tests them against the Mexican first division’s “Warriors”; 3. Aug. 20 vs. D.C. United (7:30 p.m., ESPN2) – The second match against the prohibitive MLS Cup favorites could be key to the playoff race.

Getting there: The Revs play at Gillette Stadium, on Route 1 in Foxboro. Tickets start at $19 (parking is free), and gates typically open an hour before the game. Full-season ticket packages start at $280.

Obligatory David Beckham note: The English midfielder’s Los Angeles Galaxy plays its only 2008 game at Gillette at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

On the air: The bulk of Revs games are televised on TV38. Some Saturday games – including tonight’s – are on Fox Soccer Channel, and the six Thursday games are on ESPN2.

What’s new to MLS: Plenty of international players (including Argentina’s Marcelo Gallardo, to D.C. United), the coach who coined the term “sexy football” (the Galaxy’s Ruud Gullit) and numerous rule changes, including an additional international roster spot for each U.S.-based team (they now get eight).

What’s back: The San Jose Earthquakes, a semi-expansion team in the mold of the Cleveland Browns.

What’s gone: A number of high-profile players who bolted for new gigs overseas (including Kansas City F Eddie Johnson and D.C. United GK Troy Perkins) and the “all Beckham, all the time” hype that dominated the league a year ago.

What those four don’t get: Another shot at the MLS Cup. The Revs have lost in the final three years running (once to Los Angeles, twice in a row to Houston), and have reached at least the East final six years straight.

Three reasons the Revs will finally win one: 1. Despite the departures, most of the core remains; 2. Unparalleled locker room chemistry; 3. Coach Steve Nicol, the architect of the club’s recent success.

Three reasons the Revs will again go Cup-less: 1. A congested schedule (a 30-game regular season, the U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga, at least); 2. The injuries and national team duties that already have key pieces – M/D Joe Franchino, M Wells Thompson and M Khano Smith – missing time; 3. The new additions can’t match the talent D.C. brought in.

Keep an eye on these guys: 1. Jozy Altidore (F, New York Red Bulls): The 18-year-old wunderkind could double last year’s nine-goal output in what could be his last MLS season; 2. Christian Gomez (M, Colorado Rapids): The 2006 MVP gets a fresh start in the Rockies; 3. Claudio Lopez (F, Kansas City Wizards): He’s aging at 33, but K.C.’s new designated player has been consistently great overseas.

But the best player in the league is: New England’s Shalrie Joseph. The two-time Best XI honoree and 2007 Caribbean Footballer of the Year is a rock in the middle for the Revs.

Story lines to watch, league edition: What other cities will land expansion teams? With two seasons left on the collective bargaining agreement, could labor strife be on the (far-off) horizon? What other big names will be drawn Stateside?

Story lines to watch, Revs edition: Who will fill the team’s last vacant senior roster spot? How long can they hold onto MLS defender of the year Michael Parkhurst, who has reportedly drawn interest from England? Will forward Taylor Twellman gel with his new strike partner – and who will that be? Will a soccer-specific stadium ever become reality?

And finally, predictions: D.C. beats New England in the East final, Houston bests Chivas USA out west ... and United wins title No. 5.

Staff writer Adam Smartschan can be reached at asmartschan@capecodonline.com.

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